Page 8 of The Ghost

“We’re not sure.” George picked up the conversational thread. “We’re hoping she can tell us.”

“Didn’t you notice that Ashcroft was focused on Clark, rather than me or Z?” Lukas spoke directly to me, ignoring the other suits in the room.

“What was this?” George asked, his tone indicative of a general disapproval. I realized that he hadn’t been informed of the full extent of the fight with Ashcroft. If Lukas had shared any information with him on the multiple plane rides we took to arrive at Dark Sparrow headquarters, he’d obviously left some things out.

“Ashcroft showed up after the house burned down,” I elaborated, keeping my eyes trained on Lukas. “He specifically asked for Clark to get in the helicopter with him, not Lukas or Z.”

“That confirms our suspicions,” George said, nodding with approval.

“How?” I snapped.

I was lost, feeling like there were a number of factors at play. These mysterious shoulder injuries were one thing, but it seemed like Jasmine and Regg were the masterminds behind multiple deaths. What did Ashcroft have to do with it, and why was he so focused on Clark?

“We don’t know,” George answered, giving me the stink eye.

“I’ll talk to her,” I offered.

“No.” George denied me with a quick twist of his head. “She’ll be formally debriefed.”

“But I’ll talk to her first,” I insisted.

“Theo has a personal relationship with Clark,” Lukas added.

I didn’t know if he was trying to be helpful or not, but that defiantly wasn’t what the leadership in the room wanted to hear. I got a lot of nasty looks, and one man who seemed intrigued by the idea.

“That’s my business,” I growled. “But I’m going to speak to her first.”

“Okay,” George said with a sigh.

“Theo, can I talk to you?” Lukas asked, motioning toward the door.

I stood up, aware that my time in the spotlight was at an end. They’d told me everything they were going to share. Beyond that, Clark and I were on our own. I followed Lukas out into the command center, curious to hear what he had to say.

“I’d like you to go after Reginald Banks,” Lukas said, getting straight to the point.

“I would too,” I agreed.

“I mean now,” he qualified. “I have a team ready to go.”

“I don’t need a team,” I snapped.

“I’ll talk to Clark,” Lukas offered. “The other issue is more pressing.”

“It’s not more pressing,” I argued, astonishing myself by putting something ahead of my vendetta. Yes, I wanted to get revenge, but it was more important to safeguard Clark. I didn’t trust George or even Lukas to take her feelings into consideration.

If there was some reason that Ashcroft wanted her, and if she knew what that reason was, it could potentially compromise her in the eyes of the agency. I didn’t want to see her railroaded or pawned off on someone else’s watch. She was my responsibility, my friend, my lover. I needed to make sure I was up to speed on everything before I abandoned her in this place.

“Theo, please,” Lukas objected, blocking my path with his arm.

“Don’t make me fight you,” I swore. “Because we both know that you’re not up to it.”

Lukas rolled his eyes. “I’m not going to fight.”

“Then let me go,” I demanded.

“If she says anything—” Lukas called after me.

“I’ll let you know,” I promised.